With traditional tonewoods such as rosewood and even spruce under threat, many guitar makers are seriously concerned about the future. In our 16-page special report cover feature, we explore the challenges that top luthiers are facing as they try to safeguard forests and create a new generation of planet-friendly guitars. With advice on best-buy sustainable guitars and expert insights from Taylor, Martin and a host of independent luthiers, this is the perfect introduction to the future of guitar making in a world of scarcity. Elsewhere in this packed issue, we take a flat-picking lesson with acoustic phenomenon Molly Tuttle, talk acoustics with indie noise-nik J Mascis and review a rafte of the finest new acoustic guitars to hit the market.
Turning A New Leaf
Guitarist Presents Acoustic: Autumn
TORE DOWN • Rory Gallagher’s Martin D-35 served him well as an unplugged Celtic blues machine
MOLLY TUTTLE • Still only in her mid-20s, Molly Tuttle is already festooned with awards for her songwriting and incredible guitar playing. We caught up with her during a recent UK tour to talk about her new album and record a special video masterclass
Bluegrass Bonanza • If you believe your right-hand picking technique is up to scratch, think again, as this might just blow your mind…
OUT OF THE WOODS • WITH TRADITIONAL TONEWOODS SUCH AS ROSEWOOD AND EVEN SPRUCE UNDER THREAT, MANY GUITAR MAKERS ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE. IN THIS 16-PAGE SPECIAL REPORT, WE EXPLORE THE CHALLENGES THAT TOP LUTHIERS ARE FACING AS THEY TRY TO SAFEGUARD FORESTS AND CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF PLANET-FRIENDLY GUITARS…
TOO DANG PICKY? • The traditional tonewood brand is a powerful one. Are we being too loyal – or too fussy?
WHAT’S THE DAMAGE? • Are guitars a problem or solution? The answer is not so clear cut…
RIFFING ON SUSTAINABILITY • We ask the makers what sustainability means to them
THE REGENERATION GAME • How Martin Guitars is utilising alternatives to the traditional tonewoods
LITE YEARS AHEAD • Are man-made alternatives the key to sustainability?
GOOD WOOD • Sitka spruce is one of the most well-known tonewoods – yet, says Andrew Thoms, executive director of the Sitka Conservation Society, most of it isn’t fit for instrument-making. And harvesting the now-rare tonewood-grade wood has greater ramifications today than ever…
THE RECLAIMERS • A walk back in time 5,000 years…
TESTING TIMES • Gibson’s environmentally minded efforts
LLOYD COLE • If Elvis had taken a philosophy degree, he might have emerged making music like Lloyd Cole’s. Underpinned by the brash voice of his Telecaster, Cole had a string of hits with The Commotions in the 80s and his thoughtful journey into songcraft has only deepened since then. We join him to talk about his new album, old guitars and lost weekends
J MASCIS • WITH HIS ACOUSTIC SOLO ALBUM, ‘ELASTIC DAYS ’, IN THE BAG, WE CATCH UP WITH THE DINOSAUR JR FRONTMAN ONBOARD BRISTOL’S THEKLA TO TALK GOLDEN ERA GIBSONS, VINTAGE MARTINS AND FUZZED OUT FENDERS…
MARTIN STYLE 18 • From mid-19th-century parlours to MTV, we retrace the history of Martin’s all-American 18-series flat-tops with CF Martin & Co’s museum and archives specialist, Jason Ahner
Highway Stars • Loaded with clever electronics and cool eco touches, Martin’s high-spec yet affordable Road Series electro-acoustics don’t so much take us on a road trip, more like a stroll down Lovers Lane…
Meet The Family • A Martin to satisfy every tone quest – and bank balance
Super Natural • Boutique feel and features at a midmarket price? We find out if Auden’s poised and polished guitars are giant slayers in the ‘serious acoustic’ stakes
Class Of Red • Travelling back into the mists of time,...